One of the most sensational crimes of all time has been re-examined by forensic detectives – with results that are equally sensational. Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen ranks second only to Jack the Ripper in the murderers’ hall of infamy. He was hanged in 1910, convicted of poisoning, then chopping to pieces his wife Cora, before fleeing to America with his young lover. Thanks to new DNA analysis investigators have now proved that the victim was not his wife at all. Crippen was executed for a crime he didn’t commit. Their further DNA work — secret up until now — throws up startling new evidence on what may have really happened. The investigation reveals a historic miscarriage of justice — and poses uncomfortable questions for the 1910 police and prosecutors who claimed to have solved the crime of the century.
S8 Ep3
Executed in Error
In 1910, American doctor Hawley Crippen was convicted in England of poisoning and dismembering his wife. The vicious murder-and execution that followed made international headlines. It was a landmark case — the first trial by media, and the first to be dominated by forensic science. But did the prosecutors get it right?
Features
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced and Directed by
ANDY WEBB
Narrator
LIEV SCHREIBER
Executive Producer for Films of Record
ROGER GRAEF
Executive in Charge
WILLIAM R. GRANT
Executive Producer
JARED LIPWORTH
A Films of Record production for Thirteen/WNET New York,
in association with FIVE and History UK.
© 2008 Educational Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved.